Guests - Ted Maxwell, Andy Ross
Debating the Future of Pima County Roads: Propositions 418 and 419
Kathleen Winn hosted a lively and in-depth discussion on the future of transportation infrastructure in Pima County, focusing on Propositions 418 and 419—the renewal of the Regional Transportation Authority’s half-cent sales tax for another 20 years. Her primary guest, Ted Maxwell, president and CEO of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council and a member of the RTA board, made a strong case for passage. The conversation tackled voter concerns head-on: trust, accountability, project delivery, and what happens if the measures fail.
What the Propositions Actually Do
Propositions 418 and 419 are paired measures. Proposition 418 outlines the 20-year transportation plan; Proposition 419 authorizes the continuation of the existing half-cent sales tax to fund it. If either fails, both fail by statute.
The current RTA tax expires June 30, 2026. If voters approve the renewal, the old tax ends March 31, 2026, and the new one begins April 1, 2026—no overlap, no gap, and no net tax increase at the outset.
Ted Maxwell emphasized that the RTA does not maintain local streets or neighborhood roads—that responsibility belongs to individual municipalities. Instead, the RTA funds major arterials, collectors, safety enhancements, and transit projects that connect the region across municipal boundaries.
“This is about investing in ourselves on infrastructure,” Maxwell said. “Maintenance and improvements never stop. You always have roads.”
He pointed to Maricopa County, which has maintained a half-cent transportation sales tax for 42 years, as evidence that long-term dedicated funding produces better roads.
Trust, Accountability, and Oversight
Trust emerged as the central issue. Many voters remain frustrated with past project delays, perceived mismanagement, and unrelated grievances—most notably the City of Tucson’s free bus fare policy.
Maxwell repeatedly clarified that free fares are a Sun Tran decision, not an RTA one. “That’s about butts in seats, not road funding,” he said. “Conflating the two is missing the point.”
He highlighted the RTA’s unique structure: it acts as the banker, not the builder. Municipalities design and construct projects, but the RTA reviews designs, ensures compliance with the voter-approved plan, and disburses funds only when milestones are met. Administrative costs are capped by statute at 1 percent.
The RTA has undergone multiple audits by the state auditor general with no findings of fraud or misuse of funds. “We have adult supervision in the room,” Maxwell noted.
If a municipality tried to misuse funds or deviate significantly from the plan, the RTA board—and ultimately the voters—could intervene. Significant changes require returning to the ballot.
Project Delivery: What Was Promised vs. What Was Delivered
The original 2006 plan projected $2.1 billion in revenue (in 2006 dollars). Due to the 2008 recession, slower-than-expected population growth, and the absence of online sales tax collection until the Wayfair decision, actual collections reached only $1.6 billion.
Of the original projects, 19 are complete, seven are under construction, and all will be finished by June 2026 using existing funds. Four carryover projects require re-scoping (e.g., reducing Orange Grove to Ina from six lanes to four) to match available dollars and current needs.
Maxwell likened the shortfall to a contractor bidding $2,100 on a landscaping job but receiving only $1,600 from the client mid-project. “No contractor finishes the full scope on reduced funds,” he said.
Notable completed projects include major improvements to Valencia, Tangerine, La Cañada, Houghton, Speedway, and Grant Road (still under construction but nearing a much-improved finish).
A new category in the proposed plan—arterial rehabilitation—allocates $177 million over 20 years to rebuild major corridors like Swan, Campbell, Pantano, and parts of Valencia to a 10-year standard, effectively creating “new” roads without full reconstruction every time.
What Happens If the Propositions Fail
Maxwell warned that failure would halt the $125 million annual revenue stream starting July 1, 2026. Ongoing projects would finish, but carryovers needing additional funding would stall.
Several municipalities—Marana, Sahuarita, and potentially the City of Tucson—have indicated they would pursue their own half-cent sales taxes. That scenario would fracture regional collaboration, reduce leverage for state and federal matching funds, and likely result in overlapping taxes in some areas.
Economist Jim Rounds estimates passage would create approximately 48,000 jobs and $11.6 billion in economic impact over 20 years. Failure could mean a net loss of 54,000 jobs when opportunity costs are included.
“Roads will get worse. Congestion will increase. Economic development will suffer,” Maxwell stated plainly.
Safety and Regional Connectivity
Every road project, Maxwell argued, is inherently a safety project. Wider shoulders, better lighting, grade-separated intersections (like the planned Colossal Cave Road railroad crossing), and smoother surfaces benefit drivers, cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians alike.
First responders also gain: the new 22nd Street bridge will accommodate fire trucks and school buses currently barred by weight restrictions.
A Patriotic Interlude: Andy Ross and American Rebel
Mid-show, country and patriotic rock artist Andy Ross joined to discuss his multifaceted career and his brand, American Rebel.
Ross, a former host of Maximum Archery World Tour on the Outdoor Channel, launched American Rebel beer a year and a half ago. The label proudly declares it “America’s patriotic, God-fearing, Constitution-loving, national anthem-singing, stand-your-ground beer—born in the USA.”
He emphasized that the brand predates recent cultural battles: the song “American Rebel” went viral in 2012, and the company has promoted the same values for over a decade.
When critics call it a “right-wing” or “MAGA” beer, Ross pushes back: “Are you telling me no one on the left is God-fearing, patriotic, or loves the Constitution? I thought patriots came in all stripes.”
American Rebel beer is now available in 18 states (shippable to Arizona) and is expanding rapidly, often distributed by Anheuser-Busch wholesalers. The company also manufactures high-end gun safes in Provo, Utah, and Nogales, Sonora.
Ross is currently recording a new album and performs regularly at NHRA drag races, where American Rebel sponsors cars driven by Tony Stewart and four-time world champion Matt Hagan.
Closing Arguments on the RTA
Returning to the transportation discussion, Maxwell and Winn agreed that informed voting is essential. Ballots mail out next week; the election is March 10, 2026.
Winn encouraged listeners to research, ask questions, and vote—regardless of their position. Maxwell reiterated that the plan represents a regional compromise: no single area gets everything it wants, but the entire county benefits from connected, safer, and better-maintained arterials.
“Cars don’t recognize municipal boundaries,” he said. “Neither do the trucks that deliver everything we buy. Good roads affect every single one of us, every day.”